Buy on Amazon
$350
In Stock
Availability
Availability
AvailabilityMSRP in USD: $138
Availability
MSRP in USD: $138
Key Differences
In short — Core i7-3960X outperforms the cheaper Core i3-3250 on the selected game parameters. However, the worse performing Core i3-3250 is a better bang for your buck. The better performing Core i7-3960X is 573 days older than the cheaper Core i3-3250.
Advantages of Intel Core i7-3960X
- Performs up to 2% better in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker than Core i3-3250 - 229 vs 225 FPS
- Can execute more multi-threaded tasks simultaneously than Intel Core i3-3250 - 12 vs 4 threads
Advantages of Intel Core i3-3250
- Up to 86% cheaper than Core i7-3960X - $48.0 vs $350.0
- Up to 86% better value when playing FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker than Core i7-3960X - $0.21 vs $1.53 per FPS
- Consumes up to 58% less energy than Intel Core i7-3960X - 55 vs 130 Watts
- Works without a dedicated GPU, while Intel Core i7-3960X doesn't have integrated graphics
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Game Graphics
Maximum
Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Hexa-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 15 MB Cache LGA 2011 - BX80619I73960X
Buy for $350 on Amazon
In Stock
Updated 10795 minutes ago
Intel Core i3-3250 3.50GHz 2 LGA 1155 Processor BX80637I33250
Buy for $48 on Amazon
In Stock
Updated 10797 minutes ago
TOP 5 Games
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Game Graphics
Maximum
Core i7-3960X
Desktop • Nov 14th, 2011
Core i3-3250
Desktop • Jun 9th, 2013
Geekbench 5 Benchmarks
Intel Core i7-3960X | vs | Intel Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 14th, 2011 | Release Date | Jun 9th, 2013 |
| Core i7 | Collection | Core i3 |
| Sandy Bridge E | Codename | Ivy Bridge |
| Intel Socket 2011 | Socket | Intel Socket 1155 |
Desktop | Segment | Desktop |
6 | Cores | 2 |
12 | Threads | 4 |
| 3.3 GHz | Base Clock Speed | 3.5 GHz |
| 3.9 GHz | Turbo Clock Speed | Non-Turbo |
| 130 W | TDP | 55 W |
| 32 nm | Process Size | 22 nm |
| 33.0x | Multiplier | 35.0x |
| None | Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 |
Yes | Overclockable | No |
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